NEWBERRY - Newberry College junior Justin Blomdahl (Pawleys Island, S.C.) knocked in two goals to help keep things even as the Wolves tied Mars Hill 2-2 in a double overtime thriller in the South Atlantic Conference opener for both teams.

Blomdahl sent in a long Colt Priest (Marietta, Ga.) throw-in to put Newberry (0-2-1) up 1-0 in the 12th minute. Mars Hill (3-0-1) struck back just one minute later when Conference Player of the Week Richard Osterloh headed in a Kyle Smith corner kick to square up the game at the half.

In the 63rd minute it was Blomdahl again, this time on an unassisted breakaway that went in on a second chance shot. Not to be outdone, Osterloh put in his sixth goal of the year to tie up the game for good on a penalty kick late in the contest.

The game went on to end that way after two overtime periods.

The Wolves played the majority of the second half and both overtime periods one man down after Newberry goalie Joel Johnson (Sangre Grande, Trinidad & Tobago) picked up a red card and an automatic ejection in the 53rd minute.

Freshman goalkeeper Patrick Sweatt (Indian Land, S.C.) came in for Johnson and saved six shots.

“We came out and played most of the second half and 20 minutes of overtime one down and still held strong,” said Newberry head coach Sam Okpodu. “We knew coming into the game that Patrick and Joel were going to split time in the goal. Pat had made some mistakes early in the season but he stepped up and today was definitely his day.”

The Wolves picked up their first tie and first point in the conference standings in one of the most physical games of the year. The teams combined for four yellow cards and one red as well as 34 total fouls.

Senior Nathan Arroyo (Atlanta, Ga.) took six shots and four on goal while teammate Colt Priest took three shots and two on goal as well as picking up an assists.

“The bottom line of this team is we're young,” added Okpodu. “We executed well today against a good team with a lot of freshmen playing. I have a lot of faith in this team moving forward and it's for a good reason. We're going to be ready to go on Monday.”

The Wolves will be on the road this Monday, Sept. 13, as they head to Murfreesboro, N.C., to take on Chowan at 4 p.m.